PM asked to decide on Presidential polls

PTIMay 12, 2002, 04.59am IST

NEW DELHI: In what appeared to be the first move towards evolving a consensus on the Presidential election, the NDA on Saturday unanimously authorised Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to take a decision on the issue in consultation with alliance partners, parties supporting the government and the Opposition.

"The NDA unanimously adopted a resolution authorising the Prime Minister to take a decision about the ensuing Presidential election. The NDA requests the Prime Minister to discuss the issue with NDA partners and parties like TDP and BSP supporting the NDA from outside," NDA convenor and defence minister George Fernandes told reporters after an hour-long meeting at the Prime Minister's residence.

"This should be followed by consultations with Opposition parties before coming to a final decision," he said.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today declined to spell out the stand of his Telegu Desam Party (TDP) on the forthcoming Presidential election saying he would do so "at the appropriate time". "At the appropriate time we will tell," Naidu told reporters after a 40-minute meeting with Home Minister L K Advani here.

He was replying to a question on TDP's position on the presidential poll. President K R Narayanan's term is ending on July 24.